Cosmetic Packaging Cover Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cosmetic product packaging devices, particularly for solid or pasty products like lipstick and eyeshadow, often fail to effectively control the tilting movement of the cover and securely lock it in both open and closed positions, leading to discomfort and random opening issues.

Innovation Solution

A packaging device with a base, intermediate piece, and cover that utilizes a protrusion from the intermediate piece to lock the cover in place, allowing controlled tilting and secure positioning without external tools, using a combination of protrusions and notches for precise alignment and retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the hood is allowed to tilt freely inside the base for easy opening, then ease of operation is improved, but the hood cannot be securely locked in open or closed positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of openingVSAvoidlocking capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion is pre-positioned on the intermediate piece to engage with the hood at specific points during its tilting movement. This preliminary positioning ensures that as the hood tilts, it automatically encounters the protrusion which guides and secures it at predetermined positions, combining ease of operation with reliable locking without requiring additional locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Volume of moving object

If the hood is designed to retract completely inside the base when open, then compactness is improved, but control of the tilting movement becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretraction spaceVSAvoidtilting control
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion on the intermediate piece acts as an intermediary element between the hood and the base. As the hood tilts and retracts, the protrusion engages with the hood's surface, providing tactile feedback and mechanical guidance that controls the tilting movement. This intermediary mechanism ensures the hood retracts completely while maintaining user control through the engagement point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If manual stopping and locking mechanisms are added to control the hood, then locking capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking capabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is merged with the intermediate piece that already exists in the packaging device. The protrusion is integrated into this intermediate component, combining the support function with the locking function in a single element. This eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms while providing reliable locking capability, thus avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3490407B1Device for packaging a cosmetic product
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 ALBEA SERVICES SAS
  • EP3490407B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3490407B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3490407B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention concerns a device (10) for packaging a cosmetic product (P), in particular a solid or pasty cosmetic product, comprising a base (20), an intermediate part (30) intended to carry the cosmetic product (P) and a lid (40), the intermediate part (30) being fixedly mounted to the base (20) and the lid (40) being hingedly mounted on the intermediate part (30) such that said lid (40) occupies two positions, a first position, referred to as the closed position of the device, in which the base (20) and the lid (40) define a substantially closed space between them, and a second position, referred to as the open position of the device, in which the lid (40) is retracted into the base (20), in which said lid (40) is configured to be locked in the open position - or, vice versa, in the closed position - by locking means comprising at least one protrusion (39) of material projecting from the intermediate part (30).